THE most highly rated accommodation in Australia, as ranked by travellers, doesn't have to break the bank.
Star Ratings Australia's Gold List of Accommodation reveals that the best star-rated accommodation can be yours for a little over $100 a night.
Small regional hotels were among the winners in the Gold List last year, with The Bronte Boutique Hotel in Morpeth, NSW, earning the number one spot in the hotel accommodation category. The four-star, recently refurbished accommodation features beautifully appointed rooms with prices starting at $139 a night.
Another regional hotel, Ibis Style Harrington, placed second in the hotel category, followed closely by Avenue Hotel Canberra.
The annual Gold List of Australian Accommodation compiles reviews of star-rated properties from hundreds of websites to find the best accommodation as rated by travellers.
Star Ratings Australia chief executive Michael Reed said the Gold List included six categories of accommodation: hotels, hosted accommodation, self-catering, motels, caravan-holiday parks and serviced apartments. The winners are listed nationally as well as by state, capital city and region to allow travellers to find the best accommodation, anywhere in the country.
Australia's overall top-rated accommodation also proved to be an affordable option.
At a weekly seasonal tariff starting from $720 the 4.5-star rated A Mollymook Beach Waterfront, on the NSW South Coast, took out the Gold List for its luxury self-catering accommodation overlooking the beach with a perfect 10 score.
The top three independently star rated, national Gold List winners in each category are:
Hotels
1. The Bronte Boutique Hotel, Morpeth NSW, 4-star
2. Ibis Styles Harrington, Harrington NSW, 4-star
3. Avenue Hotel Canberra, Braddon ACT, 5-star
Serviced Apartments
1. Beaches International, Forster NSW, 4.5-star
2. Sunraysia Resort, Mildura Vic, 4-star
3. Pavillions on 1770, Agnes Water Qld, 4.5-star
Self-catering
1. A Mollymook Beach Waterfront, Mollymook NSW, 4.5-star
2. Birchgrove in Daylesford, Daylesford Vic, 4-star
3. Clover Cottage Country Retreat, Manjimup WA, 4-star
Motels
1. Shangri-La Gardens, Wynnum West Qld, 4-star
2. Motel on A'Beckett, Inverloch Vic, 4-star
3. Tuckerbox Motor Inn, South Gundagai NSW, 4-star
Caravan-Holiday Parks
1. Ceduna Shelly Beach Caravan Park, Ceduna SA, 4-star
2. Clarence Head Caravan Park Iluka, Iluka NSW, 3.5-star
3. Opal Caravan Park, Lightning Ridge NSW, 4-star
Hosted Accommodation
1. Anne's Waterfront Haven Bed & Breakfast, Corlette NSW, 4.5-star
2. Bli Bli House Luxury Accommodation, Diddillibah Qld, 5-star
3. Thorngrove Manor, Crafers SA, 5-star
Star Ratings Australia is the leading independent accommodation accreditation scheme in Australia. It uses star symbols, which are a licensed trademark and an internationally recognised symbol for quality accommodation standards used in more than 70 countries.
View the full Gold List
